NEW ALTERNATIVES TO A 4-YEAR COLLEGE

This past week, we visited several different schools.  These are not schools that are considered "top tier" within a traditional college or university, but they are top notch in what they do.

These schools were:

• Vidal Sassoon Academy
• Toni and Guy, and 
• LA Music Academy

A traditional college is not necessarily cut out for every student.  Some student are looking for the "TRADES" as they are known.  These schools are in the top tier levels within their profession and students come to these schools from all over the world.

Vidal Sassoon and Toni and Guy are schools hair salons specializing in specific hair coloring and cutting techniques.  The L.A. Music Academy is a state of the art school which specializes in assisting students interested in playing guitar, drums, piano or going to voice to have a chance to advance to amazing levels of expertise.

There appears to be a common thread that all these schools has.....  they all focus "intensely" on the topic that wants to be learned by students.  If a student is in college and wants to specialize in one of these fields, they can go into these programs to perfect their training.  If they are in high school and want to pursue a different way of life, that is available too.

Vidal Sassoon Academy has the mission to share the knowledge that we gain in the development of our craft.  From the heart of their creative system in London, the Sassoon courses are developed, honed and delivered around the globe through their schools, academies and education centers.

Sassoon courses are developed and designed to be contemporary, relevant and forward thinking and are delivered with passion, commitment and technical excellence.  Students will be inspired, with real commercial skills and receive an insight into the unique culture that is Sassoon.

The Sassoon in-salon seminars are ideally suited to small audiences and can last from one to five days, depending on the depth or level of education required.  The environment allows for a high degree of detailed instruction, where every day begins with a demonstration, and the afternoon is devoted to hands-on learning.
. The optional addition of 'walk on presentation models can provide impact in illustrating the finished looks. The in-salon seminar format can be delivered in an alternative venue, should your salon not be spacious enough.

At TONI AND GUY, the focus is a little different.   The schools philosophy is that if you have got a creative flair, passion for people, and the desire to be a leader in the fashion industry, this is the school for you.

This school has built a reputation as a leader in the hairdressing industry. What began 40 years ago as a single, small salon in London has evolved into a worldwide brand synonymous with fashion, quality, and innovation.

An education at TONI& GUY HAIRDRESSING ACADEMY feels more like working in a salon than taking classes in a beauty school because of their unique student experience and our commitment to preparing students for successful careers in hairdressing.  Students don’t just complete Cosmetology State Board exams with confidence; they graduate and leave ready to embark on successful, exciting careers in a vibrant, sizzling industry.

The LA Music Academy building was originally built in the 1940’s for a school of NASA scientists to build satellites. The announcement in 1969 that "the first man on the moon" came out of an office in this building.   The schools is small with an average of 150 students attending each year.   There are over 40 faculty members on-staff, with a student/teacher ratio of 4 to 1.

The building’s facilities include large, modern classrooms equipped with Mackie Sound Systems, Yamaha drumsets with Zildjian cymbals, and Tech 21 guitar and Gallien-Krueger bass amps.
Through the school, students can have resources to apartment style living at a small discounted rate.  Most students live close to the campus, and can find activities and a fun life style close to all the schools, but there are no dorms.

The LA Music Academy was founded in 1996 as a consortium of musicians and instructors who wanted to create a unique learning environment for talented students. Many faculty members had taught at other Los Angeles schools and on the East Coast.   These musicans wanted to combine what they felt were the best attributes of these schools into a one-of-a kind curriculum.

Pasadena was chosen as an ideal location because of its safe streets and neighborhoods, still relatively close to the LA music scene with its nightclubs, concert venues, recording studios and entertainment companies.

The Recording Lab is a 625 square-foot studio-quality “floating construction” room that includes three iso-booths and a neighboring drum room. The Computer Lab is outfitted with ten 20” iMacs® and a 52” LCD monitor for instructor demonstrations. Each computer has Digidesign ProTools LE® software and an MBox2® recording interface. Ten fully-equipped practice labs are for drummers. Five practice labs and several practice stations are for guitar and bass players, as well as vocalists. The performance hall has room for 25 players onstage and holds an audience of 160.
Starbucks coffee shop is just a half a block away and Saladang Restaurant, a favorite with students.  Pasadena's Old Town is within walking distance.

Financial Aid is available to all students, and the LA Music Academy has scholarships available in addition to federal funded grants.  One of their famous alumni is David Archuleta from American Idol.

http://lamusicacademy.edu/jm/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=141&Itemid=10


What comes across in these schools is that a great education is give in a a non traditional college.  It  is important to remember that  a traditional college is not necessarily cut out for every student.  Some student are looking for the "TRADES" as they are known.  These schools are in the top tier levels within their profession and students come to these schools from all over the world.

Both, Vidal Sassoon and Toni & Guy are schools hair salons specializing in specific hair coloring and cutting techniques.  The L.A. Music Academy is a state of the art school which specializes in assisting students interested in playing guitar, drums, piano or going to voice to have a chance to advance to amazing levels of expertise.

What ever your passion is, follow it!  It may not be in a traditional college.  A traditional four year college is a well rounded program, but if you want to focus on specifics, this might be a good choice.   Tuition at each of these school ranges around $ 20,000 to $ 25,000 for tuition only. Living expenses are an additional expense.